Clumsy and Forgiven

For we are God’s masterpiece. –Ephesians 2:10 The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong…1 Samuel 19:5 But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. -1 Samuel 19:23 Saul wanted David dead. His hatred and jealousy had him blinded and unreasonable.   Jonathan tried to speak sense into him, reminding him of what the Lord had done.   These verses make me so sad that Saul just did not get it.   His heart would begin to soften; and again his view distorted by his hatred, fear and jealousy.     “The Lord won a great victory for all, why would you do wrong.” Constantly, I am Saul.   God shows me the beautiful work of His hand; I praise him, worship him, and drift again on the wrong path.   God also just stopped me in my tracks, pointing out another way that I am like Saul.   I too, compare myself to others.   The comparison game, clouds my vision, my walk, and

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.-John 15:13 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4  And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.   -1 Samuel 18:3-4 What a friend!   How beautiful!   This unlikely and beautiful friendship, such an inspiration!   While Saul despised David at this point, and really wanted him dead, his son Jonathan not only loved David, loved him as much as he loved himself.   Thank you God for friendships.   Take some time today to reach out to those that God has placed in your life.   Send them a text, give them a call, a hug, or write them a letter!   God has placed specific people in your life for a reason!   Do not take them for granted, but love on them the same way that Christ loves on you.   Have a wonderful day! Father, Thank you, thank you, and thank you f

  You come to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty. -1 Samuel 17:45 I wake up this morning with the greatest memory in my head. A memory including speed bumps. A few friends and I, away for a God filled weekend, found ourselves in a parking lot, waiting. Giggling and excited for the weekend. Excited to be together, and excited to spend the weekend with the Lord Almighty, we waited in that parking lot, driving, we circled that parking lot. The parking lot had speed bumps to slow or even stop cars. As we cruised that parking lot, we found ourselves flying over those speed bumps over and over, shouting silly things as we laughed for joy, shouting again! AGAIN!  Normally, I hate speed bumps. They slow me down, shake me up, as I stumble over them. We flew over those speed bumps! Our waiting, for that long time seemed like minutes. Our waiting was so much fun! We flew over those speed bumps time and time again with joy and triumph! 

Good morning!   Today we are covering 1 Samuel Chapter 15.   Somehow, I skipped it!   J   We will continue with chapter 17 tomorrow!   Wowee!   This chapter smacked me upside the head this morning!   I’m going to begin with prayer, so that he can help sort my jumbled mind to see only him! “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.   Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”   -Psalm 143:8.   Father, as we read your word and your truth this morning, show us your way, speak through us so that your truth is revealed.   May you make know your truths in this chapter and in our day!   We are seeking you above all. Help us to see you.   Open the eyes of our hearts!   In Jesus Name. When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord ’s instructions.”   But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” 1 Samuel 15:12-13 Saul greeted Samuel with a

Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one!" -1 Samuel 16:12 David was chosen. The youngest, the smallest, the runt. His seven older brothers visually fit the bill, but God does not look at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (v. 7) And you my friend are chosen! Rise up! You are created for this day! God has the perfect plans for you! Rise up! " But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 Rise up! This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Rise up! Rise up to the calling that he has placed on your heart and life! Rise up! Sing praises and worship the Lord in this day! Rise up! See his light shine like the noonday sun! Rise up With hands lifted high praising He who is worthy of ALL! Rise up! Shout his name and sh

Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.   NOTHING can hinder the LORD from saving whether by many or by few.   -1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan went forth on behalf of the Lord.   He knew the victory would not be his, but the Lord’s.   Although Jonathan had the disadvantage in numbers (as it was just he and his armor bearer) and in vantage point (as they had to climb a cliff to reach the Philistines), he knew that nothing could hinder the Lord’s victory.   Sure enough, although Jonathan and the armor bearer were defenseless using their hands and feet to climb the cliff, the Philistines fell at their feet.   So often, the task or obstacle at hand seems impossible.   And, it is impossible on our own.   Yet, nothing can hinder the Lord from saving!   Suit up my friends!   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.    For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against th

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. –Isaiah 40:31 Saul remained at Gilgal and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter…1 Samuel 13:78   (So Saul reacted with what he thought was best) Samuel had anointed Saul as King.   In chapter 12, Samuel gave this advice…“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.   For consider what great things he has done for you. -1 Samuel 12:24   “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14  But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart…” -1 Samuel 13:13-14 Constantly, we tend to react in situat

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

  Then the spirit of the Lord came mightily on Saul, and he became very angry. 1 Samuel 11:6 Saul was very angry that the Ammonites wanted to humiliate the Israelites. God used his anger to bring justice on the Ammonites. God can use anything for His good. Anything!  Many times, when we become angry, we become reckless, saying and doing things we may regret. However, if we respond and react on our knees first, our reactions may be very different. We can approach God, even in our anger. We can come to Him as we are and he will make our paths straight.  Father, that you can accept us as we are, hear our prayers, transform our hearts and straighten our paths! That on our weaknesses, you are strong. Thank you. You know my heart. You created me. You made me, and you DO NOT make mistakes. Help me to seek you 1st in all things and all ways. For you hear me. I love you so much father, thank you for loving me.

  It doesn't matter who his father is: anyone can become a prophet. 1 Samuel 10:12 Samuel anointed Saul. Saul was going to be Israel's first king. Some thought that Saul was not fit tone king. Saul thought the same. He had already been anointed, yet hid in the baggage when called as king. Alone, he was unfit. However, after he was anointed, Saul turned to leave, and God changed his heart. The Spirit of God came upon Saul. He who was in Saul, was and is greater that he who is in the world.  God may also be calling us to something. We may feel ill-equipped, weak, unqualified and not good enough. That is the beauty of Christ's plan. None of us can succeed without Jesus Christ. Where we are weak, he is strong. Where we are unqualified, he is more than enough. Where we are lost, He is The Way.  Father, help us to say yes to you today. Help us to ignore the lies of the world and to focus on Your Truth. Please, work through us, for Your will, Your way, Your honor and Your glory. I

  When Samuel noticed Saul, the Lord said, "That's the man I told you about! He will rule my people." -1 Samuel 9:17 Saul was sent by his father to look for their missing donkeys. He had no idea that in this time that he would be anointed Israel's first king. God had a divine appointment scheduled for Saul.  God can use any situation to lead us where he wants us. Approach this day and each moment in it as a potential divine appointment.  Father, thank you so much for this beautiful day! This is the day that you have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Help us to also be aware of YOU and Your plans in this day! Lead us and guide us. Open our eyes to your divine appointments in this day. Thank you for loving us so much that you include us in your plans. We love you and praise you and your perfect plan. -In Jesus Name! 

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord . 1 Samuel 8:6 Samuel was so upset for many reasons.   The Israelites were not happy with the way that Samuel’s sons were representing Israel as judges.   They wanted a king like the one everyone else had.   Currently, Israel had a judge, as God was their only King.   Now, they wanted a king.   This disturbed Samuel.   Samuel was reactive, by hitting his knees.   So often, we too are reactive, whether it is by giving someone a piece of our mind, or reacting to the situation with a human reaction.   We could learn something from Samuel.   So often, we react, with anger, frustration, fear, doubt, and stress, when we could react as Samuel did, by hitting our knees.   We have learned repeatedly that the first step to victory begins on our knees.   However, learning and doing are two different things.   So today, let us resolve to do what we have learned and begin on our knees, r